MP Challenges Milburn over Hospital Waits for Scans

4.34.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 2nd Jun 2003

800 local people are currently waiting 8 months or more for MRI scans in local hospitals (the figures relate to the West Middlesex) because the way the government measures waiting lists does not include them, and there is consequently no incentive for managers to improve the position.

MRI scans are a key element in the diagnosis of disease; early diagnosis raises the chance of early detection and cure; and it also reduces stress. But those waiting for scans, even if they are ill, are not included on waiting lists because they haven't been diagnosed. So the scanning units are deemed to have low priority and are seriously underfunded and underused.

Vincent Cable said: "I was alerted to this problem by a constituent whose daughter was being kept waiting for long periods. After the operators of the scanning equipment - Lodestone Patient Care - 'spilled the beans' I discovered that the problem at the hospital had nothing to do with shortages of staff and equipment but was due to the fact that it was being seriously and delibrately underfunded. "

"Despite all the clinical advantages of early diagnosis, the way the NHS functions - through centralised waiting list target setting - means that scans are starved of resources and peoples health is put at risk".